Astounding ability on display at the Autumn Concert
The first music concert of the academic year, the Autumn Concert, delighted an excited audience in the Dining Hall.
The evening began with a gentle hum of anticipation as guests filled the hall, their chatter blending with the soft rustle of programmes.
First to take to the stage was Second Orchestra, and they began their set with Ling’s ‘Playing Tag’. The audience tapped their feet as the familiar strains of Joplin’s ‘The Entertainer’ danced through the air, and the superb ensemble finished with a rendition of Dvořák’s ‘Slavonic Dance No. 6’.
Next, the Junior Chamber Choir impressed with their stunning vocals and shimmering harmonies. Their rendition of Johnson’s arrangement of ‘Siyahamba’ engrossed the audience and they followed this up with Shelton’s ‘The Mountains Are Calling Me’ and ‘I See A Star’ by Gilpin.
Brass Ensemble entertained with a trio of fantastic pieces. Prokofiev’s ‘Troika’ was a marvellous start to the set, and they continued this standard with the Korean folk song ‘Arirang’. The last song before the interval involved audience participation as attendees were encouraged to click their fingers in the appropriate places during ‘The Addams Family Theme’.
During the break guests mingled and shared their favourite moments of the concert so far before returning to their seats for the second half.
Wind Orchestra swept the audience into a cinematic soundscape as they perfectly performed four fantastic songs. Murtha’s arrangement of the ‘Mission: Impossible Theme’ pulsed with suspense, and this was followed by the familiar sound of Colla, Hayes and Lewis’ ‘The Power Of Love’ a song that featured in the ‘Back To The Future’ movie. Zawinul’s ‘Birdland’ soared with jazzy exuberance, and the orchestra closed with Pharrell Williams’ infectious ‘Happy’, leaving smiles on every face.
The rhythm continued with the Percussion Ensemble, whose performance of ‘Keep On Dancing’ – arrangement by Crosby – was a vibrant celebration of beat and movement. The hall seemed to vibrate with energy, and the audience reciprocated this energy with rapturous applause.
The evening reached its grand finale with Chorus stunningly singing choral highlights from ‘Wicked’. This performance was nothing short of magical, weaving a spell on the mesmerised audience.
Reflecting on the concert, Director of Music Mr Michael Dow said: “The Autumn Concert was a wonderful occasion with uplifting performances from start to finish. It was great to have so many pupils from all year groups participating in the first main concert of this academic year. Many congratulations to everyone involved.”
